As a successful amateur boxer who had competed at international level, Northern Ireland heavyweight Colin Robinson thought martial arts were ineffectual outside of Hollywood blockbusters and Bruce Lee films. So when a friend invited him to train at his mixed martial arts gym one evening, he was expecting an easy time of it.

“Back in the day boxing was the ultimate combat sport and that is what attracted me to it,” says the genial Ulsterman, “In my opinion, martial arts didn’t work.”

“I came to the gym one day just to show them all how it was done - and the coach tied me in a knot and left me in the corner!

“I can remember thinking ‘My god, what is this all about? He is not supposed to be able to do that!’”

The experience was a Damascus moment for Robinson, who had never previously considered venturing outside the square circle: “I thought, I have got to learn this, this is great.”